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(No Model.)

0. E. BARTRAM.

FRUIT BARREL 0R CRATE.

No.247,292. Patented Sept. 20,1881.

wvgssw INVENTOR J v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. BABTRAM, OF FREDONIA, NEW YORK.'

FRUIT BARREL OR CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,292, dated September 20, 1881. Application filed June 9,1881. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. EARTH-AM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fredonia, Chautauqua county, and State of New York, have made certain Improvements in Fruit Barrels or Urates,of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a knockdown or unfolding hoopless barrel or crate, which, after having been used for transporting fruit, vegetables, 850., is readily taken apart and opened out flat, and packed in that shape in freight cars and returned to the shipper, saving greatly in space and freight; and theinvention consists in its construction as hereinafter fully eX- plained, the object being .to produce an open barrel, without hoops, for shipment of fruits, vegetables, &c., which can be taken apart, laid out flat, and returned to the shipper at slight expense- In the drawings, Figure l is a top plan of one end of the barrel, showing the attachment of the head, 850.; Fig. 2, an elevation of about one-half the barrel, the head in cross-section Fig. 3, a longitudinal section through a series of the staves, showing the manner of connecting them by wire, 850.; Fig. 4, a detail of the cover-fastening loop, 850. Fig. 5 shows, in section, the manner of fastening the wires.

A A A represent the staves of a barrel arranged in circular form, and kept in place by (two or more) wires (0 arun through or attached across each stave near the top and bottom.

As an open space between each stave or slat Ais desirable for fruit carrying, I string on the wires aa piece ot'wood or metal, bl), between every two slats, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. These may be of cheap tin scrap bent into tubes to encircle the wire, thus preserving a space, 1), between each slat.

The ends of the wires to a are bentinto eyes or loops a a, and are brought together, one eye overlapping the other, through which is put a plug, wedge, or a single long rod, 0, (see Fig. 3,) which keeps the whole together in shape, the tension holding the rod 0 in. i This makes the circular part of the barrel complete. The heads B B are made in one, two, or three pieces, as usual, and are fastened together by two metalcurved straps, d d, fastened on top of and across the pieces forming the heads, (See Fig. 1,) and with curved-up ends cl d, project- I ing beyond the edge of the head. These catch in loops 0 e, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 4,) which securely hold and fasten the heads on. These loops e are made of strong bent wire with eyes, through which the barrel-wire a passes, and is set between two staves.

Between each loop 6 is a wooden piece, f, that swings 0n the wire a, (see Figs. 2 and 4,) with the longer (upper) end beveled off, so that the barrel-head B can be forced down the bevel to hold said head more tightly thereon. By swinging out the wooden pin fthe metal catchstraps d d can be unhooked or detached from the loops 0 e, and the head taken out.

When the contents of the barrel are removed, then take out the plug or rod 0 from the wire eyes a and lay the staves out fiat, for sending back to the shipper.

As about only two hundred common barrels can be packed into an ordinary freight-car, and three thousand five hundred of mine, it will be seen that there will be great economy in their use.

This device is lighter and stronger than the ordinary barrel. The heads are all of one size and lit any and all the barrels of this construction, and which may be made oblong, round, or square, if desired. My staves and heads require no chamfering. The heads are so fastened by my strap 61 as to be practically in one piece. This is also a great advantage in abarrel. The package also gives a thorough ventilation, and fruits, vegetables, 850., can be packed therein while damp, and no inferior ones can be hidden away in them, as is now the case with most fruit-packages; and it will not be necessary to remove the cover to inspect the fruit, 850., though the head is easily removed and replaced. which is a very great advantage.

The operation of putting this barrel up is as follows: Bring the two outside staves with the eyes a to together and fasten them by the peg 0; next put in one head, B, which will be held in place by the loops 6 c. When the barrel is filled proceed to put the other head on, which, by a barrel header or press, is easily forced down into place and the loopse c caught over the ends d cl of the catchstraps d d.

A fruit package or barrel constructed of In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing 10 witnesses.

CHARLES E. BARTRAM.

Witnesses:

J. R. DRAKE, O. H. KELLOGG. 

